Learning Disabilities Nursing BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Professionally Accredited Programmes
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Learning disabilities nursing is a great career choice if you are compassionate and keen to support people with learning disabilities and/or autism who face physical, mental and social challenges.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Course code

B761

Start date

September 2025

We are reviewing many of our School of Health and Care courses for 2025-26 entry to transform the teaching and learning. We are currently showing our 2024-25 course information, please keep checking back on this page to see our latest updates.


Course overview

Fully accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) providing eligibility for registration as a nurse on successful completion of the course (additional costs may apply).

  • All home students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs6.
  • Study in the state-of-the-art Alison Gingell Building4 which features hospital wards, operating theatre, critical care settings, community housing and other real-life nursing environments relevant to practice.
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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why study this course

The Learning Disabilities Nursing BSc (Hons) emphasises the value of people with learning disabilities as equal citizens. It is designed to enable people who have a real contribution to make to work collaboratively towards the development of compassionate, innovative and autonomous professional nursing practitioners, upon successful completion.

You will be offered the opportunity to study and develop specialist skills in communication, comprehensive person-centred health assessment, and professional skills to enable you to work in specialist areas in the field of Learning Disabilities nursing practice following graduation.

In modern health and social care settings nursing students are increasingly required to work towards becoming autonomous practitioners, taking a leadership role in decisions regarding patient care within multi-professional settings. They routinely have frequent and what can be intense contact with service users and so must be competent in recognising changes in the patient’s condition so that appropriate action can be taken.

This course offers thorough preparation to help graduates make a valued and professional contribution to the dynamic and rapidly changing health and social care landscape.

Opportunities are provided to gain hands-on experience under supervision from qualified mentors, with 50% of the course spent in clinical practice placements5 across a wide range of healthcare environments including community and hospital settings, both within NHS and independent services.

You will have the opportunity to work and study in collaboration with other health and social care students, with the chance to work together to explore specific issues and challenges, designed to broaden the knowledge and professional expertise of nursing and health professionals.

You’ll have the opportunity to make use of our extensive simulation facilities4 – from basic life support manikins to high-tech simulation dummies, which emulate patient responses. You will have the chance to use equipment found in the real world of practice, such as medical devices to assist with all elements of care and especially medication administration. You will also have the opportunity to take part in our Mask-Ed character learning scenarios.

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

NMC

Nursing and Midwifery Council

The course is accredited by the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for the 2024/25 intake and, providing you also meet the NMC requirements, on successful completion you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (subject to additional costs).


Simulating real-life situations

Our students use a persona-led teaching and learning tool to simulate scenarios they will encounter when qualified. See how this enables students to develop the soft skills which are vital to working in healthcare.

Training to be a Learning Disability Nurse has been a phenomenal experience. The versatile and transferable skills that are acquired whilst on the course are invaluable. Not only are you trained to care for service users across the lifespan but the communication skills that I have developed ensure that I am equipped to care for a variety of service users with many diverse needs. Overall, I cannot praise the Learning Disability Nursing course enough and would encourage anyone thinking of going into nursing to seriously give Learning Disability Nursing real consideration.

Theresa Parker, Learning Disability Nursing student, graduated in 2020
trainee nurse supervising patient cooking

Nursing at Coventry University

We have an excellent reputation for the quality of the education provided to trainee and qualified nurses.

Learn why you should study with us
We have an excellent reputation for the quality of the education provided to trainee and qualified nurses.

What you'll study

Year one is designed to enable you to develop the fundamental skills required to become an effective Learning Disabilities Nurse. You will gain an understanding of the importance of evidence-based decision-making and putting service users, their carers and families at the centre of care.

Modules

Building on the theory and practice of year 1, the second year of the programme aims to enable further skills development in care provision across the lifespan. Professional skills should be further developed to enable the nursing professional the opportunity to carry out holistic assessment of needs and plan effective care for service users.  Ethical and legal aspects of clinical decision-making in the context of nursing are also explored. 

Modules

The final year offers the opportunity to investigate complex care needs and the opportunity to take greater steps towards becoming an autonomous practitioner upon graduation. Program participants are given the opportunity to consider innovative approaches to the development of Learning Disabilities service provision, with consideration given to contemporary issues in professional nursing practice.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

This course is designed to use a wide variety of approaches to teaching and learning to suit individual learning styles. This includes a series of interactive lectures with associated seminars and skills lab activities. All modules are mandatory so that upon successful completion you should have the knowledge, values and skills to be able to work within integrated care settings and enhance the delivery of care for service users, their families and carers.

With the chance to gain experience using simulation across a range of care settings, this is designed to build your confidence and knowledge about how to act in these situations and is a central part of the course. It is designed so that you have the opportunity to practise and develop your clinical and interpersonal skills in a safe but realistic environment. We also use actors, so that you have the chance to enhance your exposure to these experiences in scenarios such as breaking bad news, demonstrating emotional resilience, conflict, aggression, teaching, child protection conferences, relationship issues in learning disability, alternative communication (e.g. Makaton, communication aids etc.), consent and capacity, ethical issues in caring for vulnerable people, and counselling individuals, parents and staff.

As 50% of the course is practice based, this requires approximately 40 hours per week in placements5. In a typical teaching week, you will have up to 21 ‘contact’ hours of teaching. This generally includes:

  • Personal tutorial/small group teaching
  • Medium group teaching
  • Large group teaching

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Assessments within practice placements
  • Formal examinations
  • Group work
  • Coursework
  • Vivas (oral tests)
  • Individual assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards the achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

Our course provides international learning experiences to help prepare you for the global employment market as well as strengthen and develop your broader intercultural, personal and professional skills2.

The academic staff have vast knowledge supporting people with learning disabilities, autism and mental health. The team have worked closely with the criminal justice system as well as working with individuals with profound learning disabilities.

Ijaz Mahmood, Assistant Professor, 2022
Two female students looking to the right

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 104
A level BCC - excludes General Studies
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English, Mathematics and Science
BTEC DMM in a Health, Sport or Science-based subject
IB Diploma 27 points with 14 at Higher Level.
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 15 Level 3 credits at Distinction in Health units. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

Applicants must have GCSE certificates at point of interview. Evidence of recent study is desirable.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Additional information

Caring experience, either paid or voluntary is essential. You will also be required to attend a selection event, which provides detailed information about the course and assesses numeracy, literacy and aptitude as part of the selection process. Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal records disclosure required. Skills in digital and technological literacy are considered vital and there is opportunity to develop these throughout the course.

In line with the National Health Service Constitution we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care.

As part of the health clearance checks5 you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine5. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

Is the student required to undergo a DBS check? Y

Is the student required or likely to undergo a placement in a social and/or healthcare setting? Y5

Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Additional information

Caring experience, either paid or voluntary is essential. You will also be required to attend a selection event, which provides detailed information about the course and assesses numeracy, literacy and aptitude as part of the selection process. Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal records disclosure required. Skills in digital and technological literacy are considered vital and there is opportunity to develop these throughout the course.

In line with the National Health Service constitution we use a values-based recruitment approach in seeking candidates with the appropriate values to support effective team working in delivering excellent patient care.

Is the student required to undergo a DBS check? Y

Is the student required or likely to undergo a placement in a social and/or healthcare setting? Y5

English language requirements

  • This course requires an IELTS of 7.0 overall, with no component lower than 6.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year
Not available

A non-repayable grant of £5,000 and extra payments worth up to £3,000 may be available to eligible home students for each year of study. Read more about this in the NHS Learning Support Fund information booklet.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.


Facilities

Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a range of mock healthcare settings, including hospital wards, ambulance, therapy suites and community houses, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement4.

You’ll have the opportunity to make use of our extensive simulation facilities – from basic life support manikins to high tech simulation manikins, which emulate patient responses and test resuscitation skills. You will also use healthcare devices found in the real world of practice.

Students and a tutor with a manikin in the hospital ward

Mock hospital wards

Our fully-equipped mock hospital wards are built to NHS standards and give you the chance to experience patient scenarios in a real-world environment.

Students practicing patient therapy in a community house setting

Community houses

Learn how to work with patients outside of a hospital setting in our simulated, two full-size community homes, specifically built for teaching.

Students in scrubs in the mock operating theatre

Mock operating theatre

Our Alison Gingell building includes a full-size mock operating theatre, containing scrub sinks and theatre lights.

 


Careers and opportunities

There are currently around over 3,500 learning disabilities nurses within the NHS and demand for these specialist nurses is high. Typically, past final year students have been offered a range of posts within the NHS and the private sector prior to qualifying.

As a learning disability nurse, you will have opportunities to support people of all ages with learning disabilities in a range of settings, which may include hospital wards such as epilepsy and palliative care; mental health trusts; adult education; residential and community centres; patients' homes; workplaces; and schools. Career options, upon successful completion, may include working in specialist areas such as education, sensory disability or service management or moving into areas such as management, teaching or clinical research.

During your three years on the programme, you will have the opportunity5 to undertake six placements in a range of service settings, with the chance to work with and alongside qualified learning disability nurses, and therefore potential local and regional employers. On graduating successfully from this course, you can apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which can enable you to practise immediately (additional costs apply). Please see the Accreditation and Professional Recognition section for further information.

Where our graduates work

The majority of our graduates find employment as qualified nurses in the NHS with a growing emphasis on community settings, in acute hospitals, military nursing or within the private and independent healthcare sector, in private hospitals, nursing or care homes. As your career progresses, a number of options are open to you as a lecturer or specialist practitioner, advanced nurse practitioner, consultant nurse or manager.

Recent graduates have gone on to roles such as working in forensic services, generic and specialised children’s services, end of life care (adults and children), neurology services, dementia services, prison and court diversion, police diversion, schools, research and many more.

The course at Coventry University offered me the opportunity to gain an in-depth experience and the academic staff were supportive and encouraging throughout. The skills and knowledge gained have allowed me to develop and become a compassionate Learning Disability Nurse.

Frances Manley, Registered Learning Disability Nurse, graduated in 2020, quoted in 2021
nurse with clipboard

Graduate Immigration Route visa

Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.


How to apply

Applications open for this course in May 2024. In the meantime you can register your interest in Coventry University.

Part-time students should apply directly to the university.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

International codes:
HLSU197

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.


Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

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